As the weather starts to warm up, many anglers’ thoughts turn to walleye fishing. Walleye are a prized fish for many reasons: they’re good eating, they put up a good fight, and they can be found in many different types of water. If you’re looking to increase your chances of landing a walleye (or two, or three), read on for tips on the best walleye lures, baits and jigs.
The Best Walleye Lures
There are a few key things to look for when choosing the best walleye lures, baits and jigs. First, you want to choose something that is versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. Second, you want to choose something that is durable and will last through many fishing trips. And finally, you want to choose something that is effective in catching walleye.
One versatile and durable option for walleye lures is the Rapala Original Floater. This lure can be used in both open water and ice fishing situations, making it a great choice for anglers who fish in a variety of conditions. The Original Floater is also made with high-quality materials, so it will stand up to repeated use. When it comes to effectiveness, the Original Floater has a long history of catching big walleye.
Another great option for walleye lures is the Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon. This spoon lure is designed specifically for targeting walleye, making it an ideal choice if you’re looking to target these fish specifically. The rattle design of the spoon lure attracts fish and gets their attention, while the bright colors are sure to attract bites. Durability is also not an issue with this spoon lure, as it’s made with quality materials that can withstand plenty of use.
Finally, one of the best all-around options for walleye lures is the Strike King Walleye.
The Best Walleye Baits
There are a few different types of baits that work well for walleye, including live bait, artificials, and jigs. Many anglers prefer to use live bait because it is the most natural option and walleye are known to be attracted to live bait. Minnows are the most popular type of live bait for walleye, but leeches and nightcrawlers can also be effective. Artificials include lures and plastics that imitate live bait. These can be very effective, especially when fish are not biting on live bait. Jigs are a type of lure that is often used with live bait or plastics. They come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles, so it is important to experiment to find what works best in each situation.
There is no single “best” walleye bait, but rather a variety of baits that can be effective depending on the situation. Live bait is always a good option, but artificial and jigs can be deadly when fish are not biting on live bait. Experimenting with different sizes, colors, and styles of jigs is often necessary to find what works best in each situation.
The Best Walleye Jigs
There are a lot of different walleye jigs on the market, and it can be tough to decide which ones are the best. Here are our top picks for the best walleye jigs:
- Northland Fire-Ball Jig – This jig is specifically designed for fishing in deep water, and features a unique glow-in-the-dark head that is sure to attract attention from walleyes.
- Lindy Darter Jig – This jig features a slim design that makes it great for fishing in weeds or other tight spaces. It also has a loud rattle that will attract fish from long distances.
- Strike King Walleye Elite Jig – This jig is perfect for fishing in clear water, as its bright colors are sure to stand out. It also has a strong hook that will ensure you land your fish.
- Rapala Jigging Rap – This versatile jig can be used in both deep and shallow water, and features a minnow-shaped body that is irresistible to walleyes.
- VMC Tungsten Toad Jig – This heavy duty jig is perfect for fishing in rocky areas, as its tungsten body ensures that it won’t get snagged on rocks or other obstacles.
How to Use Walleye Lures, Baits and Jigs?
If you’re serious about walleye fishing, then you need to use the best lures, baits and jigs. Here’s a guide on how to use them:
Walleye Lures:
There are many different types of walleye lures available on the market. Some of the most popular include crankbaits, spinners and spoons. When choosing a lure, it’s important to consider the type of water you’ll be fishing in as well as the time of year. For example, crankbaits work well in open water while spinners are better suited for trolling.
Baits:
Live bait is often the best option when fishing for walleyes. Minnows and nightcrawlers are two of the most popular choices. If you’re using artificial baits, swimbaits and grubs are both good options. It’s also important to choose the right size bait for the fish you’re targeting. Smaller baits work well for smaller fish while larger baits are better for bigger fish.
Jigs:
Jigs are another popular option when fishing for walleyes. They can be used with live bait or artificial baits and come in a variety of sizes and colors. When choosing a jig, it’s important to consider the depth of water you’ll be fishing in as well as the type of bottom structure.
Walleye Jigs and Lures – How to Fish them?
Walleye jigs come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. The most important thing to consider when choosing a walleye jig is the size and weight of the jig. The size of the jig should be matched to the size of the baitfish that the walleyes are feeding on. The weight of the jig should be matched to the depth of the water you are fishing in.
There are two main types of walleye jigs: live bait rigs and plastic tails. Live bait rigs consist of a live minnow or leech threaded onto the hook. Plastic tails are made from soft plastic and have a built-in rattle. Both types of walleye jigs can be effective, but live bait rigs tend to be more popular with experienced anglers.
When fishing with walleye jigs, it is important to use a slow, steady retrieve. Walleyes are notoriously shy biters, so it is important not to give them any reason to suspect that your lure is anything other than food. If you feel a tap on your line, stop your retrieve and allow the fish to take the lure into its mouth before gently setting the hook.
Big swimbaits are great for jigging
When it comes to walleye fishing, big swimbaits are hard to beat. They are great for jigging and can be deadly when fished around structure or in open water. While they may not be the most versatile bait, they are certainly one of the most effective. If you want to catch a trophy walleye, then you need to fish with a big swimbait.
Lipless crankbaits
As their name suggests, lipless crankbaits have no lips or bill. This design gives them a unique wobbling action that is irresistible to walleye. Lipless crankbaits are also one of the most versatile lures you can use. You can fish them vertically, cast them out and reel them in, or troll them behind your boat.
Most lipless crankbaits are made of hard plastic and have a metal lip or blade that helps create their distinctive action. Some of the more popular brands include Rapala, Strike King, and Sebile. When choosing a lipless crankbait, it’s important to consider the size, weight, and color of the lure. The best way to determine what works is to experiment until you find a combination that gets results.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are a versatile and effective lure for walleye, and can be fished in a variety of ways to target fish at different depths. When fishing deep water, a slow-rolling crankbait is a good choice, while a fast-moving crankbait can be more effective in shallower water.
Crankbaits come in a wide range of sizes, colors and styles, so it’s important to choose the right one for the conditions you’re fishing in. In general, brighter colors are more visible in stained or murky water, while natural colors are better in clear water.
When choosing a crankbait, it’s also important to consider the action of the lure. Some crankbaits have a tight wiggling action that is best for slow-moving waters, while others have a wider wobbling action that is ideal for faster-moving waters.
Finally, don’t forget to match the size of your lure to the size of the baitfish in your area. Smaller crankbaits are better for targeting smaller walleye, while larger crankbaits can be used to target bigger fish.
Here are a few things to remember about walleye behavior
Walleye are most active at dusk and dawn, so it’s best to fish for them during those times. They’re also attracted to baitfish, so using lures or live bait that mimic baitfish is a good way to catch their attention. Additionally, walleye tend to stay in deep waters during the day and move into shallower waters at night, so anglers should target the areas where they’re most likely to be depending on the time of day.
Walleye sport incredible low-light vision.
Walleye are one of the most popular sport fish in North America, and for good reason. Not only do they put up a great fight, but they’re also delicious. They’re also relatively easy to catch, especially if you know what you’re doing.
One of the things that makes walleye so easy to catch is their incredible low-light vision. Unlike other fish that rely on sight to find food, walleye use something called phototaxis. This means that they’re attracted to light, which makes them easy to find at night or in murky water.
There are a few different ways to take advantage of this when fishing for walleye. One is to use a lighted bobber. This is a float that has a small light inside of it. When the bobber goes under the water, the light turns on, attracting the attention of nearby walleye.
Another way to take advantage of their low-light vision is to use lures or baits that emit light themselves. Glow-in-the-dark lures are very popular for this reason. You can also find lures that have built-in lights, or you can add your own lights to them with a little bit of electrical tape.
No matter what method you choose, remember that walleye are attracted to light. This means that you’ll have the most success if you fish at night or in cloudy conditions.
They are sensitive to their lateral lines.
The lateral line is a sense organ that extends along the length of a fish’s body. It is used to detect movement and vibrations in the water, which helps the fish to orient itself and avoid predators. Walleye are particularly sensitive to their lateral lines, and as a result, they are attracted to lures and baits that create vibrations in the water. Jigs are a great option for fishing for walleye, as they can be worked in a variety of ways to create different kinds of vibrations. Another good bait option is a spinnerbait, which has a spinning blade that creates vibration as it moves through the water.
They are drawn to contrasts.
The vast majority of walleye are drawn to some kind of contrast in their environment. This could be a sharp change in color, a difference in light intensity, or even a change in textures. Many anglers use this to their advantage by using lures and baits that create a contrast against the background conditions. For example, using a brightly colored lure against a dark bottom is often very effective. The same can be said for using a lighter colored bait against a dark sky. By creating a contrast, you are essentially making your offering more visible to the walleye and increasing your chances of success.
Spring and fall are shallow, summer is deep.
As the water begins to warm in the spring, walleye start to move shallower in search of food. The same is true in fall as the water cools. But during the summer months, when the water is at its warmest, walleye tend to move out to deeper waters.
This is why it’s important to use different lures, baits and jigs depending on the time of year. In spring and fall, when walleye are in shallower waters, smaller lures and baits are often more effective. During summer, when walleye are in deeper waters, larger lures and baits are often better.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. But if you’re not sure what to use, following these general guidelines can help you catch more walleye no matter what time of year it is.
Walleye’s Best Live Bait: This is the best choice
There are a few different types of live bait that work well for walleye, but the best choice is definitely minnows. Other good options include nightcrawlers, leeches, and crayfish.
Minnows are small fish that are common in most freshwater lakes and streams. They are easy to catch and can be used as live bait for walleye. Nightcrawlers are large earthworms that can be found under rocks or in damp soil. They make excellent live bait for walleye and other fish. Leeches are slimy creatures that live in freshwater environments. They can be purchased from bait shops or collected from certain areas of lakes and ponds. Crayfish are small freshwater crustaceans that can be found in many ponds and streams. They make great live bait for walleye, bass, and other fish.
You can run your live bait on a hook, jig, or another device. It is important to match your hook to your bait size. I keep several sizes of hooks on hand. While I do size up to my minnows in the fall, I indeed prefer to keep a variety of hook sizes on hand. Match the hook with the bait.
Minnows
Minnows are one of the best walleye lures, baits and jigs because they are able to attract a wide variety of fish. Minnows are small fish that resemble the forage fish that walleyes typically feed on. Because of this, minnows can be very effective at attracting and catching walleyes.
There are many different types of minnows that can be used as bait or lure, but live minnows are often considered to be the most effective. This is because live minnows offer a more natural presentation that can be irresistible to walleyes. If you’re using live minnows as bait, it’s important to hook them through the lips so that they stay alive longer and swim more naturally.
In addition to live minnows, there are also a number of artificial minnow baits and lures available. These can be just as effective as live bait, but they have the advantage of being easier to keep and store. Artificial minnow baits come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, so you can experiment until you find what works best for you.
Conclusion
There you have it — the best walleye lures, baits and jigs to help you catch more fish. While there are many different products on the market, these are our favorites and we think they will help you be successful in your fishing endeavors. Do you have a favorite walleye lure or bait? Let us know in the comments below!
